s:2159:"TI The adoption of improved tree fallows in western Kenya: farmer practices, knowledge and perception 
AU Pisanelli A 
AU Poole J 
AU Franzel, S. 
AB Improved tree fallows to improve soil fertility have considerable potential in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa. This paper assesses the experiences of 99 farmers in western Kenya, following initial testing of improved fallows during 1997. Over the following three seasons, 53% of the farmers could be considered as medium adopters (planting improved fallows in one season), 26% were strong adopters (planting in at least two seasons) and 21% were non-adopters (not planting at all). The proportion of women farmers planting improved fallows was roughly the same as the proportion of men. The interest of poor and female farmers, relative to other studies showing adoption bias towards wealthy and male farmers, may reflect their limited access to other soil fertility inputs, such as mineral fertilizer and animal manure. Farmers' management of the practice differed considerably from researchers' recommendations, particularly with respect to fallow length and time of planting trees relative to crops. Improvements to both soil and crop yields were perceived as the most important benefits of improved fallows. Sesbania sesban (L.) Merrill, and Crotolaria grahamiana Wight & Arn. were the most appreciated species. A linear logistic model was used to indicate the factors associated with farmers' decisions to continue planting improved fallows following initial testing, and with the decision to plant one versus planting more than one improved fallow. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the factors influencing the area planted to improved fallows and the proportion of farm area under improved fallows. The most important variables associated with planting improved fallows were ethnic group and proportion of area under natural fallow. Wealth status, gender, farm size, and available labour had relatively little influence on decisions to plant improved fallows. The practice is knowledge-intensive and requires seed and technical support from research and extension services. 
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